Yesterday my son went to a trial at Inter Lions under 18's. NPL3 side. So we rock up there at Bressington Park in Homebush and we hear that they retained 9 of their squad and are looking for another 7 players. They came 5th this year and are a solid outfit.
Over 90 kids show up. I tell my son to not play it safe and demonstrate what he can do. He is already over 6 foot 1 and runs like the wind and is a right sided player. Anyway within the first 30 min 40 kids immediately get cut. One kid in particular takes it hard and my son consoles him and tells him that he too was cut from Rockdale Suns in NPL1 and made it to the last 4 players.
He finally gets his chance and nutmegs this kid, runs down the line, crosses the ball and his team score a nice goal. He is immediately signed as the 10th player. I was so proud of him but even more for consoling that young boy earlier.
A massive weight off his shoulders and mine. Now he can get an extra 4 ATAR marks for the HSC because he plays rep football. My wife and I love watching him play.
What a cut throat world.
Great story Avy!
Congrats to your son for making it through. It's such a buzz for them.
My son also had a trial with Inter Lions a few seasons ago, because the academy he was with at the time was also linked with Inter Lions. The academy is ASA and is run by a guy named Pat. He has a big say in Inter Lions NPL selections. Did you meet him?
Unfortunately young Suit didn't make it through at that time, but he was asked to go to a week long coaching academy in China (Shanghai) run by Stoke City, which he went to in January this year. There were kids there from all around the world - Europe, South America etc... It was quite a blast for him and a real learning experience.
Our boys sound like they are about the same age - young Suity played Under 17's this year.
And yes, you are right. Football is a cut throat world. What pisses me off the most though is the cost to put our kids through this level of football. I have paid many seasons worth of over $2000 in fees for young Suity to be trained in academies. It has been worth it for the coaching and increased level of his ability, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of others who also do this. Only the elite, or those who started at academies at a young age generally get through. Young Suit didn't start at an academy until under 14's, and already the politics was at play, and those that had started at under 8's/9's, were already the favourites and still selected. The ability of some of them was questionable, but they already had their foot in the door, so to speak. I could tell you more if you want, but the trials at NPL clubs were just a debacle.
Young Suit was so disillusioned that he decided this season he would just go back and play club football with his mates. He's a midfielder/striker and ended up being the leading goal scorer and had a really enjoyable season.
But geez, don't start me on the politics in football. The kids who have loud, pushy parents, who have lots of money...….
Lastly, how funny is it when the kids get so excited about megging someone!! It's like they've won a premiership!!